Beckley, West Virginia….not much there. But, that doesn't really matter because we were just passing through and needed nourishment and rest which we found both in ample supply there. The room at EconoLodge

was very clean although their Continental Breakfast stunk, but, all was well because IHOP was right across the street….hmmmm….no problem there. We shared a Sampler in honor of Grandpa. After eating our fill we once again hit the Super Slab – I77 toward Fancy Gap, Virginia where we got off the Parkway last year when Grandpa got sick. We ran one 80 mile stretch of I-77 in West Virginia that had

. Oh….what a relief it is to be off the slab and surrounded by such beauty. We just kept riding, looking, talking, taking pictures and enjoying each other and most of all God’s creation all around us….WOW! Before we knew it we were being welcomed to

for a few more hours then decided to jump off the Parkway (no not literally) at Blowing Rock and hit Hwy 321 South to Lenoir, NC for the night. We were able to get an extremely nice room there for less than half the cost of one in Boone or Blowing Rock and it was only seventeen miles from the Parkway and a beautiful ride too. But, then it is Lenoir or at least that’s what the waitress at Fatz told us at dinner. She must not be too happy there….oh well. We actually didn’t fall into bed exhausted thanks to a pleasant ride on the Parkway.